I am an artist and a writer. I have extremely high standards for what I write and draw with as well as what I write and draw on. I travel frequently on assignments and when I travel, I always carry a sketchbook/journal to capture thoughts, impressions and to have a way to sketch something that catches my eye. These Journals are perfect for my needs. I love that they have a fabric cover rather than the ubiquitous plastic that so many are now offering. There is a sewn in bookmark as well as a sewn in elastic to keep leaves, wildflowers and other treasures securely within the pages of my journal.

I love these sketchbooks! I think it's more about the sizes and slightly textured pages. I love the feel of the cloth covers and the feel of the texture of the paper as I draw with my pencils or colored pencils across the surface. I not only use them for drawing but also have one for notes on my favorite sewing patterns. I also use one as a scrap book for drawing ideas. The sizes are great. I especially like the 5 1/2 x 8 1/2" and the 5 1/2 x 5 1/2".

I purchase class sets of these art journals for my Urban Sketching Art Class as well as for personal use. The journals lay open flat when drawing in, cover material is classy yet durable, little storage area in back is a plus. The binding is tough to hold up to daily student use - but most of all I find the paper quality usable for graphite, pen, inks, and light watercolor and/or guache. If you are heavy with your watercolor or wet material, I would sugest Hand Journal's Watercolor Journal. Only thing I've found negatively, is that the first acutal page is not usable, because of the binding glue of the front cover page, but it's not that big of a deal. Although the price may be a little steep for purchasing multiples, I've tried several other options, but have not been satisfied with either the binding, paper quality, or usability. Perfect Choice for a Student, Teacher and an Artist!

I never bought anything online before, but since they stopped selling these at my sister's college bookstore, I ordered four from Blick. They are the best sketchbooks I've ever used. They can take all sorts of media. I've had success with acrylics, inks, watercolor and some markers (Prismacolor and Copic would definitely bleed through). I love the paper, it has a nice texture to it--a bit of tooth, not too smooth, and the color is a very natural looking cream color. The binding is high quality. The book lays very flat on it's own. I love the clear pocket on the back cover and the gold ribbon. Overall it's the nicest quality sktchbook I've ever owned.

Really loving these little books. Would be nice to have some big versions, but luckily I was looking for smaller ones. I got the smallest portrait black cover, and the next size up green landscape and they both have been working great so far. Haven't had much of a chance to test with different materials, but I plan to use the green one for drawing and the black for mostly writing and doodles I think, and they seem perfect for those purposes. Though I would have liked the paper to be a bit more white and sturdy, but it isn't low quality either.

I am so pleased with these sketchbooks!I've been on the lookout for a decent watercolor or multimedia book I can take on the go and this was it! This sketch book supports my every need and is much more affordable than other books I've looked atThese books take watercolor so well and my colors come out really nice! I think you have to be super careful with the amount of water you use though. The paper does buckle a bit if you use a lot, but even after drying it isn't that noticeable from my experience? I'd stick to playing it safe with very light use of water.I can't exactly recommend the use of marker with this though.A friend and I both used markers on our books and they bled through pretty bad (we used copics and crayola)Pencil also smudges easily on the paper. Other books I've used don't smudge as easily but it really isn't a problem if you're careful!I don't know if it's just the pencil I use though? I'm gonna try my other pencils on it later.I haven't used pen or my pastels or anything on it just yet.Although just from some inking I did the other day I'd say it takes it pretty well! No dragging or bleeding!anyway, please try this sketch book if you're looking for something for watercolors and to take on the go. It is definitely worth the price! I'll definitely be buying more of these!

These sketchbooks perform extremely well with colored pencils. It is almost like a vellum bristol but thinner. Layer after layer after layer after layer the colored pencils lay down and blend. I have used micron and technical pens on them (some ghosting especially if you shade in an area with a lot of dark), but still, a lighter touch may solve this, or gesso. I have used fc pitt pens, letraset tria markers, and prisma markers. Same issues as the heavy inks, but still perform as well as a bristol board with blends, highlights, etc. i have not had the best luck with some of the softer drawing materials. I am still working on blending pastels, carbons, and charcoals, but the size makes it convenient to work out techniques. My favorite though is the colored pencil performance. Moleskine isn't even in the same league as these, in my opinion.

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